Canada Goose Vows To Discontinue Fur Use By 2022
However, the luxury brand has no plans to abandon goose down.
The controversy-embroiled luxury winter clothing manufacturer Canada Goose has pledged to discontinue its use of coyote fur by the year 2022. In an effort to realize its climate goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2025, the brand’s move towards sustainability follows years of controversial protests by animal rights activists over their alleged use of steel bear traps to capture coyotes and inhumane treatment of animals. The company has not declared any plans to discontinue the use of goose down.
Popular for their fur-trimmed parkas and down-filled outerwear, Canada Goose has announced its phased approach towards going fur-free. It will terminate fur purchases by the end of 2021, while all fur products will be discounted until the end of 2022. In a statement to New York Times, Canada Goose President Dani Reiss dissipated rumors that the decision was an outcome of activism, remarking, “The fact that we’ve been targeted did not factor into this decision at all. Our focus has always been on making products that deliver exceptional quality, protection from the elements, and perform the way consumers need them to.”
Meanwhile, the Humane Society’s executive director, Claire Bass, commented on the move, stating that fur is a “dying industry on its knees from the punches of so many top designers and retailers walking away from the PR-nightmare of fur… Canada Goose's fur-free policy will spare untold thousands of coyotes from being maimed and killed in cruel metal leg-hold traps.”
Canada Goose's announcement poses new questions plaguing the ethical fashion industry: will the substitute of fur be sustainable? Synthetic faux fur, composed of materials such as nylon and polyester, causes environmental degradation due to its chemical treatment.
The fashion industry is witnessing an eco-conscious revolution as many other luxury fashion players have recently boycotted the use of fur- including Burberry, Stella McCartney and Nordstrom.
Next Up, Fashion Revolution: Burberry Pledges To Be Climate Positive By 2040
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